Dahlia plant named &#39;DAFEMTEN&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘DAFEMTEN’ characterized by its ray floret color (fully opened): upper side: yellow-orange, R.H.S. 15B and under side: greyed-orange, R.H.S. 168B; capitulum (composite flower head): 8 cm in diameter, with a large number of ray florets (about 100 to 150); mature leaves are about 4 to 7 cm in length, mostly compound, with 1-5 leaflets; and vigorous plant vigor, growing upright with slight spread to form cylindrical-shaped plant.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE CLAIMED PLANT

Dahlia sp.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DAFEMTEN’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant, botanically known as Dahlia sp. of the Compositae (Asteraceae) family, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DAFEMTEN’.

The new Dahlia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Rune Harboe Nielsen, in Odense, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Dahlia variety with a compact, strong, and healthy growth habit, suitable for large scale container production; fully double flowers creating globular-shaped flower head (composite flower heads with many ray florets).

The new Dahlia cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program by the inventor in 2001 in Fyn, Odense, Denmark. The female or seed parent is a Dahlia cultivar designated ‘01.200A’ (unpatented). The male or pollen parent is a Dahlia cultivar designated ‘DAEN’ (unpatented in the U.S., granted as EU-CPVO application number 19961145). The new Dahlia ‘DAFEMTEN’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in May of 2004 in a controlled environment in Odense, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new Dahlia cultivar by vegetative cuttings was first performed in August of 2004 in Odense, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DAFEMTEN’, which in combination distinguish this Dahlia as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Ray floret color (fully opened): upper side: yellow-orange,         R.H.S. 15B; under side: greyed-orange, R.H.S. 168B.     -   2. Capitulum (composite flower head): 8 cm in diameter, with a         large number of ray florets (about 100 to 150).     -   3. Foliage: Mature leaves are about 4 to 7 cm in length, mostly         compound, with 1-5 leaflets.     -   4. Plant Vigor and Growth Habit: Vigorous, grows upright with         slight spread to form cylindrical-shaped plant.

Plants of the new Dahlia ‘DAFEMTEN’ differ from the parental plants, ‘01.149L’ (unpatented) and ‘DAEN’ (unpatented in the U.S., granted as EU-CPVO application number 19961145), in the characteristics described in Table 1. TABLE 1 Male Parent ‘DAEN’ (unpatented in US, Female Parent granted as EU-CPVO New Cultivar ‘01.200A’ application number Characteristic ‘DAFEMTEN’ (unpatented) 19961145. Color of Ray Floret Yellow-orange. Yellow. Red. (fully opened, upper side): Capitulum About 8 cm. Larger than 8 cm. About 5 cm. Diameter: Foliage: Compound, 1-5 with Compound, with 1-5 Mostly single leaves. leaflets. leaflets. Plant Vigor: Vigorous. More vigorous than Vigorous. ‘DAFEMTEN’.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Dahlia ‘DAFEMTEN’ is the Dahlia ‘MAGDALENA’ (unpatented in the U.S., granted as EU-CPVO application number 20031206) in the characteristics described in Table 2: TABLE 2 Comparison Cultivar ‘MAGDALENA’ New Cultivar (unpatented in US, granted as Characteristic ‘DAFEMTEN’ EU-CPVO 20031206) Color of Ray Floret Yellow-orange, RHS 15B. Orange-red, RHS 34B (fully opened, upper side): Color of Ray Floret Greyed-orange, RHS 168B. Orange-red, RHS 33C, with stripes (fully opened, of white RHS 155B, forming two Under side): prominent ridges. Quantity of ray florets About 100 to 150. About 180-200.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Dahlia ‘DAFEMTEN’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘DAFEMTEN’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘DAFEMTEN’ in a 11 cm pot, at 9 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 2 shows a top view perspective of a fully opened capitulum of ‘DAFEMTEN’ (as identified by breeder reference 01.314A), at 9 weeks of age after potting.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical capitulum of ‘DAFEMTEN’ (as identified by breeder reference 01.314A), in different stages of development.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up top view of the typical foliage, as well as, a close-up top and bottom view of a fully opened capitulum of ‘DAFEMTEN’ (as identified by breeder reference 01.314A), at 9 weeks of age after potting.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Dahlia ‘DAFEMTEN’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Dahlia ‘DAFEMTEN’ as grown in a protected environment in a glass, greenhouse in Fyn, Odense, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. During propagation, conducted in a glass, greenhouse, vegetative cuttings were planted in small propagation pots with peat as substrate, and then placed in a plastic tunnel averaging about 21° C. and received photoperiodic treatments of 18 hours. Supplementary light was given when natural light fell below 3000-4000 Lux. Rooting occurred about 12 days after planting. In third week after planting, young plants were potted in an 11 cm pot in a glass, greenhouse maintained at 18° C. to 22° C. during the day, and at 17° C. to 19° C. during the night. Photoperiodic treatments were continued at 18 hours, and supplementary light was given when natural light fell below 3000-4000 Lux. Irrigation was done with water. The EC measured in the soil was maintained between 2.0 to 3.0. One week after potting, the first growth regulation was given: a spray with 85% daminozide, 0.2%, 25 ml/m². During the production time, 4 additional sprayings were given with 85% daminozide, 0.2%, 70-100 ml/m².

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM in Fyn, Odense, Denmark. The age of the ‘DAFEMTEN’ plants described is 12 weeks (including propagation time).

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Dahlia sp. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Dahlia cultivar designated ‘01.200A’             (unpatented).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Dahlia cultivar designated ‘DAEN’             (unpatented in U.S., granted as EU-CPVO application number             19961145). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative cuttings.         -   Rooting description.—Fibrous and freely-branching.         -   Height of rooting structure.—Depends on container, can grow             to about 30 to 40 cm.         -   Diameter of rooting structure.—Depends on container, can             grow to about 30 to 40 cm.         -   Color of roots.—White, R.H.S. 155B.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About 12 days at 21° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 21 days at 21° C.             during rooting phase, followed by 18° C.         -   Tubers.—Will form under short day conditions, 12 hours of             darkness. Tubers may develop in late summer/early autumn             when planted outdoors. -   Plant:     -   -   Crop time.—After rooting, about 8 to 9 weeks are required to             produce finished flowering plants in 11-12 cm pots.         -   Plant vigor.—Vigorous.         -   Form.—Cylindrical, upright and slight spreading.         -   Size.—Height (from soil level to top of plant plane): About             15 to 18 cm Height (from soil level to top of foliage):             About 12 cm Spread: About 18 to 20 cm.         -   Stem.—Appearance/shape: Circular, hollow, glabrous.             Diameter: About 4 to 8 mm. Aspect: Upright to outward.             Strength: Strong. Texture: Glaucous. Pubescence: None.             Color: Yellow-green, R.H.S. 144A.         -   Lateral branches.—Quantity per plant: About 3 to 5 (when             pinching over 3 pair of leaves). Length: (including             inflorescences): About 10 to 16 cm. (including break to base             of peduncle): About 2 to 6 cm. Diameter: About 4 to 8 mm.             Color: Yellow-green, R.H.S. 144A. Habit: Freely branching.             Basal branching: Yes. Pinching: Pinching recommended.             Internode length: About 1 to 4 cm.         -   Foliage.—Type: Upper leaves: Single. Bottom leaves:             compound, 3-5 lobed. Quantity of leaves per lateral branch:             About 4 to 8. Quantity of leaflets per compound leaf: 1             to 5. Color (leaves and leaflets): Color (mature): Upper             side: Green, R.H.S. 139A. Under side: Greyed-green, R.H.S.             191D. Color (immature): Upper side: Green, R.H.S. 137A.             Under side: R.H.S., R.H.S. 138A. Venation (leaves and             leaflets): Pattern: Pinnate. Color: Upper side: Yellow             green, R.H.S. 146A. Under side: Yellow-green, R.H.S. 146A.             Simple leaves: Leaves on the cuttings are single, but all             visible leaves are compound leaves. Arrangement: Opposite,             decussate. Length: About 5 to 11 cm. Width: About 4 to 6 cm.             Shape: Elliptical, cuspidate tip, rounded to cordate base.             Margin: Dentate. Texture (both sides): Rugose. Petiole:             Shape: Semi circular. Length: About 2 to 5 cm. Diameter:             About 3 to 6 mm. Color: Upper side: Yellow-green, R.H.S.             146B. Under side: Yellow-green, R.H.S. 146A. Compound             Leaves: Arrangement and shape: Opposite, decussate. Length:             Up to 16 cm, generally about 12 cm. Width: Up to 12 cm,             generally about 8 cm. Shape: Elliptical, acuminate tip,             decurrent base. Margin: Dentate. Texture (both sides):             Rugose. Petiole: Shape: Semi circular. Length: About 3 cm.             Diameter: About 4 to 5 mm. Color: Upper side: Yellow-green,             R.H.S. 146B. Under side: Yellow-green, R.H.S. 146A. Leaflets             of compound leaf: Terminal: Quantity: One. Length: About             6 cm. Width: About 4 cm. Rachis: Length: About 2.5 cm.             Diameter: About 3 to 4 mm. Color: Yellow-green, R.H.S. 146A.             Lateral: Quantity: About 2 to 4. Length: About 5 cm. Width:             About 3 cm. -   Flowering description:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Grown outside as a bedding plant,             flowering occurs continuously during growing season (In             Denmark, from June to beginning of October). Plants can be             brought to flower anytime when grown under the recommended             greenhouse conditions.         -   Time to first flower.—About 7 to 8 weeks from potting of a             rooted cutting.         -   Lastingness of individual blooms on plant.—Depending on             weather conditions, about 7 to 12 days.         -   Fragrance.—None. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Type.—Capitulum (composite flower head).         -   Arrangement.—Persistent, single, composite inflorescences             from leaf axils. Disc and ray florets arranged acropetally             on a capitulum.         -   Flowering aspect.—Upright, slightly spreading. Young flower             head/buds initially 70° to 90° turning to 30° when flower             head opens.         -   Quantity of flowers and buds per lateral branch.—About 1             open capitulum and 3 buds.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Bud.—Quantity: About 3 to 5 per lateral stem (buds continue             to develop when the dead composite flower heads are             removed). Rate of opening: About 4 to 10 days for bud to             progress from first color to fully opened inflorescence.             Shape: Globular. Length (when color shows): About 1.5 to 2.0             cm Diameter (when color shows): About 1.0 to 2.0 cm Texture:             Glabrous, shining. Color: Yellow-green, R.H.S. 144C.         -   Peduncle.—Length: About 3 to 10 cm. Diameter: About 4 to             6 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect (angle to vertical): First             flower: About 0° to 10°. Second flower: About 20° to 30°.             Texture: Glabrous Color: Green, R.H.S. 138B.         -   Inflorescence.—Inflorescence depth (height): About 5 to             7 cm. Inflorescence diameter: About 7-8 cm. Disc diameter:             About 1.2 cm. Receptacle diameter: About 1.4 cm. Receptacle             height: About 0.8 cm.         -   Ray florets.—Arrangement: Imbricate, in about 8-10 whorls of             ray florets, each with 10 to 18 florets to equal a total of             about 100-150 ray florets per capitulum, depending on light             and temperature conditions. Overall shape: Circular to             elliptic, involute with a rounded tip. Apex shape: Obtuse.             Base shape: Acuminate, fused to form tube. Length: About 25             to 35 mm. Diameter (width): About 19 to 25 mm. Margin:             Entire. Texture: Upper surface: Glabrous. Under surface:             Glabrous with visible veins. Orientation: Initially 15° from             vertical, with development, to 160° from vertical. Color:             Development and tones of color for florets may change             slightly depending on light and temperature conditions When             opening: Upper surface: Yellow-orange, R.H.S. 15A. Under             surface: Greyed-orange, R.H.S. 168B. When fully opened:             Upper surface: Yellow-orange, R.H.S. 15B. Under surface:             Greyed-orange, R.H.S. 168B. Just before senescence: Upper             surface: Yellow-orange, R.H.S. 16B. Under surface:             Greyed-orange, R.H.S. 168C.         -   Disc florets.—Arrangement: Massed at center of capitulum,             about 70-90 disc florets per capitulum, which are             yellow-white in color at the lower half, but appear more             yellow in appearance due to the transparent corollas and the             underlying yellow color from the anthers. Appearance:             Tubular to single, fused corolla. Overall shape: Tubular.             Apex shape: Star with 5 triangular tips. Base shape: Fused             to tube. Length: About 4 to 6 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm.             Margin: Entire. Texture (both surfaces): Glabrous,             translucent. Color: Transparent, yellow-white, R.H.S. 158C,             letting the yellow, R.H.S. 13A color of the anthers come             through (before anthesis), to yellow-orange, R.H.S. 20A (at             anthesis).         -   Phyllaries.—Quantity: One subtending each floret. About 180             to 200 phyllaries per capitulum. Overall shape: Thin             translucent, papery. Phyllaries, arranged acropetally on the             capitulum. Overall shape: Subulate. Apex shape: Acute with             rounded tip. Base shape: Fused. Length: About 12 mm. Width:             About 7 mm. Margin: Entire. Color: Mature: Yellow-green,             R.H.S. 151D. Immature: Yellow-green, R.H.S. 151D.         -   Bracts.—Quantity: About 5 to 6. Appearance and arrangement:             Reflexed, involucral bracts. Overall shape: Subovate. Apex             shape: Rounded. Base shape: Sessile. Length: About 10 to             14 mm. Width: About 5 to 8 mm. Margin: Entire. Texture (both             sides): Glabrous. Color: Mature: Upper side: Green, R.H.S.             139A. Under side: Green, R.H.S. 138B. Immature: Upper side:             Green, R.H.S. 139A. Under side: Green, R.H.S. 138B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—         -   Stamen.—Number: 5, fused into synandrous tube around style.             Disc florets fertile, ray florets sterile. Length: About 8             to 10 mm.         -   Anther.—Shape: Linear. Length: About 4 to 5 mm. Color:             Yellow-orange, R.H.S. 20A.         -   Pollen.—Amount: Moderate. Color: Yellow-orange, R.H.S. 20A.         -   Gynoecium.—         -   Pistil.—Quantity: One per disc floret. Length: About 12 to             15 mm.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Bifurcate. Length: About 4 to 8 mm. Color:             Yellow-orange, R.H.S. 20A.         -   Style.—Length: About 6-8 mm. Color: Yellow-orange, R.H.S.             20D.         -   Ovary.—Diameter: About 1 mm. Color: Yellow-green, R.H.S.             151C. -   Seed/fruit: None observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to     Dahlia have not been observed. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptibility to pathogens and pests     common to Dahlia have not been observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 2° C.     (but flowering ceases at constant temperature of 12° C.) and     tolerant to a high temperature of about 35° C. High temperatures     might reduce flowering. -   Growth regulators: Daminozide (85% water soluble dry concentrate     formulation). 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘DAFEMTEN’, as described and illustrated herein. 